Transformation of disability support services welcomed

CCS Disability
Action welcomes the next steps in the transformation of
disability support services

CCS Disability
Action is pleased the government is continuing to reform
disability support services. The government has decided to
pilot a new approach around Palmerston North. This new
approach will be based on everything learnt in previous
pilots.

David Matthews, Chief Executive of CCS Disability
Action, is happy that the government is carrying on with the
reforms.

“There is a clear need to reform disability
support services. Disabled people need choice and control
over their supports. They also need supports that enable
them to live great lives in the community, not supports that
exclude and segregate them. This pilot has the potential to
be the next step forward towards a disability support system
that works for disabled people.”

Mr Matthews is clear
that the government needs to build momentum and work towards
a full rollout.

“This should be the last pilot before a
full rollout across the country. From Cape Reinga to the
Bluff. The Australians are ahead of us here. The rollout of
their reforms, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, is
well advanced. We can still beat them on quality though,
rolling out even better reforms for disabled people.”

Mr
Matthews said his organisation would support the reforms and
push for them to transform the disability support system for
the better.

“The government needs to seize the day here.
They need to be bold and be willing to invest more resources
to get better outcomes for disabled people. Disabled people
have gotten a raw deal for too long. Both in terms of how
much support they have, but also in terms of how that
support is delivered. It is time to adequately support
disabled people to truly be included in their communities.
The time for real change is now, we have waited too
long.”

ALSO:

"Unfortunately we are in crisis and this friendly dinosaur faces extinction… Our only hope is to try and raise funds to buy the building and restore it to its glory, either fully funded or with a viable deposit." More>>

Previously undiscovered letters and a story written by a young Katherine Mansfield were recently unearthed in Wellington City Library’s archives by a local author researching a book about the famous writer. More>>